September 1st to 5th, 2017

May 30th to June 3rd, 2018June 6th to 10th, 2018August 8th to 12th, 2018August 15th to 19th, 2018September 5th to 9th, 2018September 26th to 29th, 2018

$1475

Difficulty: Medium

Highlights

Our newest tour is in the beer mecca of Oregon, focusing on craft beers and scenic bikeways.

This tour starts in beer-rich Portland, Oregon before heading east along the Columbia River historic highway/bikeway. We’ll visit at least 7 breweries, and be overwhelmed with daily photo-ops, all while staying at amazing hotels each night.

Ride between 20 and 32 miles each day, with two hilly days, and three flat days. This tour is open to beginners with some light training recommended.

The historic Columbia River highway and bike trail will be a highlight of the tour. It is consistently rated one of the most scenic roads in the US.

Every day we will visit one or two breweries. Oregon is known for their hoppy IPA’s, but we will explore a much wider variety along our route.

Make new friends and visit a different brewery every day, as you explore a country at the perfect speed to soak in your surroundings.

Breweries

From IPA’s to IIIPA’s, German Kolsch to Barrel-aged Sours, this tour has something for everyone’s palette.

Typical breweries we visit on most tour include:

Base Camp Brewing – Amazing outdoor adventure-themed brewery, close by our hotel in Portland. They make amazing lagers and have several food carts onsite on their grand patio.

Hair of the Dog – The small brewery with a world-wide cult following. We’ll enjoy a round here as we make our team introductions on the first day of the tour.

Burnside Brewing – You’ll definitely want to stop in at this brewery as it is right across the street from our hotel on night #1! Burnside makes great IPA’s, and always has an interesting new seasonal beer to try.

Zoiglhaus – Newer brewery in Portland making primarily German style beers, along with Northwest staples like IPA’s. We’ll have lunch at the brewery and a private tour on day #2.

Edgefield – Our hotel on night #2 is also a brewery! (and a winery, distillery, cidery!) We’ll get to run around like kids at a candy store at the Edgefield property sampling our hearts out. They also have an enormous warm soaking pool which we can use that is for hotel guests only!

Thunder Island Brewing – The brewery in the prettiest location of the tour, nestled right against the banks of the Columbia River, this bicycle-friendly brewpub will be the main attraction on night #3. And our hotel is only 500 feet away, so go ahead and have another round!

Double Mountain– The pride and joy of Hood River. Double Mountain has been consistently making world class IPA’s, sours, and Belgian-style beers for 10 years. They also make the best pizza in the world. (no joke!)

pFriem– Another brewery located right on the banks of the Columbia River. pFriem is a family-run brewery specializing in Belgian styles. We’ll enjoy some beers at their brewery and if the weather is nice enjoy some outside time on the beach right in front.

Cascade Barrel House - Walking distance from our hotel on night #1

Other breweries change based upon availability and time of year. Places we will visit on some tours include: Breakside Brewing, Culmination Brewing, Full Sail Brewing, Solera Brewing, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Walking Man.

We are a registered and insured Oregon Outfitter Guide service.

The magical Willamette river, dividing West and East Portland

Total Mileage: 90 miles / 145 km

Itinerary / Stats

Locations and distances vary from tour to tour, but generally fall between these guidelines:

Day 1 – The group meets in Portland at the Jupiter hotel, situated in a fun part of the city, inner SE, with tons of breweries surrounding us. Our bicycles will be delivered here and we can do a warm up ride for lunch to a brewery in town. Group dinner option tonight at another brewery nearby.

Day 2 – Today we cycle along the Springwater Corridor, dedicated pedestrian, on our way out of of town. Stopping for lunch/tour of Zoiglhaus before continuing to the majestic Edgefield property in Troutdale. This hotel is near impossible to book in the Spring/Summer, so we are in for a treat! Enjoy beers brewed on-site of the hotel while you wander around the property. You can even play golf, swim in the soaking pool, or watch a movie at their own theatre.

Day 3 – Today starts our journey on the historic Columbia River highway. We’ll have one big mountain climb today (about 900 feet) to take us to the top of the Gorge for some epic views of the river. We’ll do a picnic today at one of the many waterfalls we’ll cycle by on the way to Cascade Locks, our home for the night.

Day 4 – Today we continue on the dedicated bicycle trail towards Hood River. We’ll get shuttled via a passenger van for the last 10 miles and have lunch in Hood River. Plenty of time off this evening to explore the charming mountain / river town. Recommend the pizza at Double Mountain for dinner!

Day 5 – Today we will do one last scenic ride, either go to Parkdale or Mosier depending on brewery availability. We’ll do one last brewery tour before getting shuttled back to Portland. If you have any energy left, we can visit another brewery in Portland before we say our sad goodbyes!

Portland

Hood River

Cascade Locks

Troutdale

Markers show start/end + overnight hotel and B&B locations…

Photos from this tour

Tour FAQ's

What is included in trip cost?

4 nights hotel and B&B accommodation. Typically 3-4 stars, and when possible nearby the brewery we visit each day. All rooms include a private bathroom except for the historic “Edgefield” where all rooms have shared bathroom. (but it’s such a cool hotel/brewery, you won’t mind).

Daily breakfast, daily lunches, and lots of snacks for each day.

All tours are lead by either Evan, Beercycling’s founder. A 2nd guide is available typically only for groups of seven or more.

Daily route planning, including daily itineraries of our agenda and options for where to eat / what to do in each town / maps / etc.

A multi-speed touring compatible bicycle, helmet, and lock. (More about the bikes in the section below)

Vehicle support for groups of 8 or more. For smaller groups you will receive two rear panniers to carry personal belongings.

Entrance fees to all brewery visits, including lots of free beer tastings!

Included luggage storage at our bike shop to hold extra belongings you do not wish to carry on the bikes. All luggage will be returned to you on the last day of the tour.

A welcome package which includes a T-Shirt plus other goodies.

Email / phone contact with your guides prior to the trip. You get to ask as many questions as you like directly to the people taking you on the tour.

What is not included?

Airfare to and from the trip.

Transportation to the trip meet-up location. (Although we do offer an airport pickup service)

Lodging before and after the trip.

Gratuities for Beercycling tour guides.

Personal items purchased during the trip.

Alcoholic Beverages. (Although lots of beer is included at each brewery)

Dinner is not included which allows you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own, or with the group as you see fit. There will be options for both. Your guides are happy to give you recommendations.

Let's talk weather

Our #1 question… what is it “typically” like in Oregon?

Unfortunately, the weather and weather forecasts in Oregon are unpredictable. In the summer it can be pleasant, it can be wet, it can be very hot. In the Spring and Fall it can get very cold. So riders need to plan for any situation. The number one thing that will ensure you have a comfortable tour is a good rain jacket that you have tested is fully waterproof. We will be riding each day rain or shine.

Wind is normal in Oregon as we cycle along the Columbia River. We can occasionally get a strong headwind which will make the cycling more challenging.

What time and location does the tour start / end?

Tour start: We meet at the Jupiter Hotel in SE Portland at 11:00 AM. If you would like us to book you an extra room the night before the tour meets, let us know!

Tour end: We will be shuttled back from Hood River to Portland on Day #5, arriving to Base Camp Brewing in SE Portland, our ending point, around 5:00 PM.

Tell me more about the bikes

We will have two for bike rentals on this tour, a drop bar and a flat bar. The drop bar bike is a Fuji Sportif 1.3, aluminum frame with a carbon fork and a 2×10 compact drivetrain. They are equipped with fenders and they also include disc brakes. We can include a handlebar bags on request.

The flat bar bikes are also Fuji, the Absolute 1.3, also aluminum frame with a carbon fork. They also include fenders, racks and handlebar bags on request. These also have disc brakes, the major difference, aside from the handlebar style, is the drivetrain is a compact 2×9. You get the same overall range of gearing, just one less cog in the center of the range. Less experienced riders will be more comfortable on these flat bars.

All bikes are equipped with flat pedals, we can add toe clips/straps if desired or swap in your pedals if you prefer to bring your own.

What about the bike paths / difficulty of riding?

3 out of the 5 days is extremely flat which allows for easy pedaling. On day #3 and #5 we will climb some hills starting as we cycle above the Gorge for some great views. There are only a couple hills to climb, and we will have plenty of time each day to ride. If you need to walk up a hill, there is no shame! We have plenty of riders choose to do this. The road conditions will be mostly pavement but also include about 10% dirt paths). While riding in cities we will choose bike-friendly roads, and in the more rural areas it will be a combination of bike lanes on quieter roads, and dedicated bike paths. Day #4 has one of the most beautiful bike paths you’ve ever seen!

The daily riding mileage averages out to be 25 miles (40 km) per day, longest day is 30 miles. Expect about 3-4 hours a day on the bikes. (not including stops). Our pace along the rides greatly depends on the condition of our group but in general we will be traveling at a leisurely pace. For tours with two guides we can always split into two groups if necessary during the tour. Expect some stops for taking photos and breaks every 45-60 minutes.

I’m not a strong cyclist. What do I need to do to prepare for the ride?

Our longest day on the bikes will be about 30 miles (48 km). In order to properly train for this trip, you should be able to ride your bike at least this distance. While we strongly encourage everyone to train beyond this point if possible, at a minimum please complete a 30-mile ride. And it’s also a good idea to practice being on your bicycle multiple days in a row to build your “saddle strength”. Also, keep in mind that we cannot control the elements. A possible windy, wet day will be much harder on the bicycles, so please take that into account with your training plan.

What are the maximum / minimum number of riders on this trip?

In order to keep the trip organized and give every rider individual attention, most trips will be limited to 14-16 people (including guides). The minimum for most tours is 5. We will notify you when the minimum has been met for your tour.

What if we don't have enough people to include vehicle support?

We will email the group once we confirm departure, and then again when we have enough to confirm the support vehicle. If we are not able to provide a support vehicle you will have the option to join us on a self-supported tour, or a full refund. We try to make these decisions at least 2 months prior to the start of a tour.

How do I reserve my spot?

Simply follow the link below to our registration page. You’ll need to fill in all of your information, including your 200 USD deposit per person now. We will send you a link to pay the remaining balance, which we must receive no later than 4 weeks before the start of the tour.

What if I change my mind or change my travel plans. Can I get a refund?

Shorter than 45 days notice = We cannot issue a refund after this time due to lodging, bicycle, and tour reservations already being placed..

If I select a “shared room”, who will I be sharing with?

If you are traveling with another person, we will place you together in a room. (there are 2 people and 2 beds per room). If you are traveling by yourself (or with an odd number of people) then we will do our best to match you up with another rider on our tour of the same gender.

If you are in a room by yourself you will need to pay a single supplement fee.

We cannot currently offer a triple room discount as not all hotels offer triples.

What ages are allowed to attend?

21 and over.

What about drinking and driving? Isn’t it illegal to ride a bicycle intoxicated?

Yes, it is illegal to ride a bike intoxicated. And because Belgian beer can include a lot more alcohol then an average beer, the follow items are put in place for this tour:

When possible, our beer / brewery / biercafe visits will be at the end of the day.

There are several days where the brewery visit is mid-day. Riders will be expected to use moderation when drinking beers during the daily rides. There will be several occasions where we will stop for lunch and have a beer, however, this does not mean we will accept or tolerate over-drinking when additional riding is necessary.

On most occasions our riders tend to share beers with each other. This helps everyone a sample a larger variety of beers, limit their intake, and also save money. We encourage this method when possible.

All riders are required to sign a waiver at the beginning of the tour removing us from liability if over drinking cases any damage of any kind. This is non-negotiable.

Due to each rider’s size / weight / body type, we cannot easily put a hard limit on the amount of drinks one consumes before becoming intoxicated. Since we’re all adults everyone will need to make these decisions on their own. (Although our guides won’t hesitate to let you know if we think you’ve had too much)

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own bike (and get a discount) with the following conditions:

In must be in good enough condition to support you and your equipment for the length of the tour.

If the tour is self supported it must have a rear-rack that can hold panniers, which you we can loan you for a small fee, or you can bring your own for an additional discount.

You also bring your own lock.

You bring your own spare tubes.

We have plenty of extra helmets if you need to borrow one.

Beercycling will not be liable for damages made to your personal bike on the trip, although we will help when possible with mechanical issues or questions.

Meeting the above conditions also means you qualify for the lower rate on our registration page.

What are the average prices for beer / food / etc in Oregon?

Bottle of beer = 4 to 5 USD at a bar (rare and speciality beers will be more)

Dinner = Expect about 15 to 20 USD for a good-sized quality meal.

International riders: Tipping is expected in the US. $1 per beer, and about 15-20% for meals.

What kind of food will be served?

Breakfasts – will mostly consist of a typical “continental style” which will vary, but you can expect: Bread / Jams, Cereal, Milk, Juice, Coffee, Fruit, Pastries, etc. Some days hot food like eggs and bagels. Some hotels we use on our tours provide breakfast, others we will order food nearby to share.

Snacks – Along the ride the guides will carry snacks that can be shared by the entire group. These will include candy, energy bars, fruit, extra water, etc. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own snacks or buy them along the way as well.

Lunches – Will consist of either picnic lunches, or dining at bicycle-friendly cafes. For the picnic lunches we will have spreads of meat, cheeses, breads, fruit, chips, among others. There will always be a vegetarian option each day. Again, if you prefer to buy or carry your own lunch every day you are more than welcome to. If you have any special dietary restrictions please make a note of this on your registration form. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.

Dinner – Everyone is on their own for dinner each night. Some nights we will go as a group to a beer cafe / restaurant, but this is optional. Food choices are wide, but even brewpub food here can be creative and delicious.

What do I need to pack for the tour?

We recommend packing light. (More room to take beer home!) For self supported tours, the bags on the bikes are fairly large and should accommodate all necessary clothing for a 5 day tour. If you run out of room in your bags we can either help you mount another bag on the top of your rear rack, or place some equipment on one of the guides bikes if available. Please keep in mind that you will have use of a storage facility at the bike shop on Day #1 you can use and reclaim your items once the tour is over. A typical packlist for this trip is as follows:

Lightweight shirts = 3 or 4

Underwear = 3 or 4 pairs

Socks = 3 or 4 pairs

Pants = 1 pair

Shorts = 1 pair (Padded cycling shorts are recommended if you haven’t spent much time on a bike seat)

Waterproof lightweight rain shell

Lightweight jacket

1 pair of shoes for on the bike (cycling shoes or running/gym shoes is fine)

1 pair of shoes for off the bike (hiking sandals or flip flops, or just skip this and use your on-bike shoes)

Sunglasses

Gloves (for cycling, should be lightweight)

Water bottles are included with bicycle rental (or you can bring a camelbak which can double for extra storage)

Camera + batteries + charger

Personal documents (passport, credit cards)

Hygiene products / Sunscreen / Chapstick

Bungee cord (to strap extra items to your bike rack)

A couple zip lock bags (helps on rainy days to extra waterproof your phone or other items)

We do not recommend carrying a laptop computer due to space constraints. Several hotels will have computers you can use, or if you have a smartphone you can connect it to WiFi in order to get internet access. Some past riders have brought small netbooks which squeeze in nicely with luggage.

Do I need travel insurance?

It is not required, but it is recommended. This can be used for lost luggage, medical expenses, etc. Each person is on their own for this, we do not offer an insurance policy. Also check with your credit card company, sometimes they offer included travel insurance.

What if Beercycling needs to cancel the trip?

In the very unlikely event that we need to cancel a trip each person will be issued a 100% refund. We cannot, unfortunately, provide a refund for your other expenses like airfare. In all cases Beercycling has backup tour guides waiting should something happen to your primary guide.

Am I required to tip my guides?

Nope. But tipping is very much appreciated and helps ensure the ability of our guides to run more and more tours each year!

Any other questions?

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are happy to help answer even the silliest of questions!